Hosea 6.6 | word study
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather
than burnt offerings.
* desire: to find pleasue in, to choose, strong attraction to
* mercy: hesed, mercy, compassion, what Rahab showed the spies, to treat
someone as if a previous relationship existed in which they were close
friends, although it is spontaneous.
* sacrifice: the slaughter of animals for sacrifice, the victim, the
meat, the offering
* acknowledgment: da’at (from yada) Often denotes knowledge gained from
the senses. technical know-how, discernment, contemplative perception of
a wise man, fear of the Lord is the beginning of da’at.
* burnt offerings: that which goes up in smoke, the offering that is
completely burned,
so, God wants us to be compassionate and merciful, treating people like
the are old friends, rather than a bunch of dead animals brought at
gifts to him. He is attracted to knowledge of Him that comes from
experiential meeting, with our senses, rather than a bunch of stuff that
will burn.
This is parallel to Hosea 5:6
They go with flocks and herds to seek the Lord, they will not find Him.
they are seeking after God with all of their religious sacrifices, just
like He asked for, right? So why will God hide? Doesn’t it say in
Jeremiah 29 something about “when you search for me, you will find me?”
Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek e and find me when you seek me with all
your heart.”
Seek Him with a bunch of religious sacrifices and works and so-called
good deeds and you’ll never find Him. God is not found in religious
acts. Seek Him with your heart. Offer to Him your very self. Quit buying
your way out of sin with cash in the offering plate, climb in. Put your
self in the offering and offer God your inmost being. Then He will be
found. Then He will get what He desires.
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer
your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your
spiritual act of worship.